'We Need You'

Akon on black artists performing at the Super Bowl: We need you on that stage

The controversy over black artists' involvement with this year's Super Bowl Half Time Show continues — even on Super Bowl Sunday. But not all African-American musicians side with Colin Kaepernick and his supporters when it comes to Super Bowl LII.

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While artists like Rihanna reportedly declined invitations to perform at the show in solidarity with Kaepernick and his peaceful, "take a knee" protest of racially fueled police brutality in America, rapper Akon, who's in Atlanta for this weekend's football festivities, seems to believe the black music community can benefit from performances by Travis Scott, Big Boi, Gladys Knight and, presumably, Maroon 5's PJ Morton.

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TMZ caught up with Akon this weekend and asked what he thought of artists' refusal to play at the game and calls for those will perform to take a knee while onstage.

"I think all of that's stupid," Akon said in a clip posted on the website. "You're in this business for two reasons: One is to make an impact, and two is for the business of it. Now if you a philanthropist … If that's something that you feel like you believe in, and you fight for it? You have every right. But if you doing it and you look at it as a way of expanding who you are as an artist and as a business, you also have a right."

After asserting there's no "right or wrong answer" to the "perform or don't perform" question, he asked why a black artist wouldn't want to "perform in one of the biggest events in the world," saying, "That don't help us, we need you to be on that stage." '

He also suggested a better approach would be to find a compromise.

"I just think sometimes people take social issues and make it a lot [more] serious than it has to be," he explained. "At the end of the day we all gotta live in this world together. And there's always going to be somebody who feels they're being treated unfairly, there's always going to be an imbalanced [sic] situation, but as people we have to compromise certain situations to get to better places."

Last week, famed R&B and soul singer Knight, an Atlanta native like Big Boi, said on "Today" that she struggled with the decision about whether to sing the National Anthem at the game but ultimately decided she could potentially use her performance "as an opportunity to bring people together," according to Craig Melvin (via Essence).

Before agreeing to play the Half Time Show, Scott included in his deal with the NFL a stipulation that they make a large donation to the social justice accelerator, Dream Corps.

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Maroon 5 later announced it would make a donation with the NFL to the Boys and Girls Club of America. The NFL canceled the usual Half Time Show performer press conference.

Fire sale

'Unwell' Wendy Williams selling all her NYC penthouse belongings

Wendy Williams is simplifying her life. 

The former daytime talk show host is reportedly selling off all of her personal belongings from her New York City penthouse condo. Although Wendy's rep chalked the sale up to nothing more than a spring cleaning, a source says the ex TV star is eyeing a move to the west coast. 

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"She was asking how to sell her stuff with 'The Real Real,' but I don't think she's actually moving to Los Angeles," an insider told Page Six. "She seems so unwell."

The Sun reported that nearly everything from Wendy's apartment is available, including the 58-year-old's iconic purple chair, which was a major piece of her "Hot Topics" segment on "The Wendy Williams Show."

Wendy's rep, though, is taking a nothing-to-see-here approach. 

"Wendy is getting rid of items for spring cleaning, this is what people do this time of year," the rep told Page Six. "It's a new chapter for Wendy and she wants new things. This is a common gesture people do and Wendy is no different" 

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Wendy last appeared on her eponymous TV show in July 2021. She then contracted COVID, which complicated her Graves' disease and thyroid condition. She also said she was battling lymphedema. In addition, Page Six reported in September 2022 that Wendy, who's struggled with alcoholism, had checked into rehab. Two months later, she said she was "just happy to be here."

The former daytime TV host has repeatedly said she's done with TV, but plans to launch a podcast and a possible reality TV show. In late February, Wendy was spotted out with friends at dinner in the Big Apple. 

"She had a huge crew that basically turned Fresco by Scotto into a movie set … approximately 30 people in the crew. Lights, cameras, audio, producers, etc. [It] looked like a reality show," a source told the New York Post's gossip page. "One of the 'scenes' was Wendy having dinner with a friend. Wendy came into the dining room with her big personality waving at all the guests, like they were extras in her movie."

Scary fall

Music star's 6 year old hospitalized in ICU after falling from fifth floor window

Flo Rida's 6-year-old son, Zohar, is in the intensive care unit after falling from the 5th floor window of an apartment building in New Jersey. 

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Zohar's mother is blaming the building for the fall, and her attorney said it's a "miracle" the boy survived. He reportedly suffered a lacerated liver, collapsed lungs, fractures to his feet and pelvis and internal bleeding.

According to TMZ, the accident occurred in early March. In a lawsuit filed this week, the boy's mother, Alexis Adams, alleged the the building's construction company and window installation company were negligent, claiming that "incorrect sized guards" were installed on the windows. This, she said, led to Zohar falling onto the concrete sidewalk. 

"This feels like a nightmare," she told News12 New Jersey. 

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It's unclear what kind of relationship Flo Rida has with the boy. Back in 2018, DailyMail.com reported that the rapper had never met his son. The "My House" chart-topper was not listed as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. 

Alexis's lawyer said her son will need to learn how to walk again following the 50-foot fall. He's still in a full-body cast, which severely restricts his movement.

Religious rift

Jinger Duggar slams convicted brother for 'dragging the glory of God through the dirt'

Jinger Duggar is unloading on her convicted pedophile brother.

The "19 Kids and Counting" star appeared on the Relatable podcast this week, saying Josh Duggar "claimed to be a Christian and had all these outward things that made him look good" but was really a religious fraud.

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Josh was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for his child pornography possession conviction. He also had an infidelity scandal and molestation scandal several years ago. 

"It's really hard to talk about… but I see with my brother it is the same heart of going to these [Christian] standards, putting up all of these outward things to make your heart look good before others and I think that is really why I wrote this book," she said of her memoir, "Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear."

"In that time when my brother was about to be arrested I was looking at all of these and thinking, man the glory of God is going to be dragged through the dirt because people think this is what it is," she continued. "He's claimed to be a Christian and he's had all these outward things that made him look good but when everything falls apart and no one saying anything, we have to speak out for the glory of God. So that's where I thought we want to make a distinction between like putting on roles and what the heart of true Christianity is."

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Josh, the eldest son of the devoutly-religious reality TV family, was found guilty in December 2021. His release date is set for October 2, 2032.

Ironically, Jinger said one of the family's biggest principles was "purity," something Josh didn't adhere to.

"[There was] talk about purity about keeping yourself pure. Almost viewing talking about sex with your kids, all of that at appropriate ages, and like about how your bodies are changing, that's totally pushed out," she said. "There's not even a healthy view of like, 'OK, marriage is a gift from God. Within marriage you're to be able to enjoy this.' There's such a focus on pushing out all of that as almost like evil – even attraction."

New pics

Elvis paramour Linda Thompson finds amazing vintage Polaroids of a young Lisa Marie Presley while 'spring cleaning'

Can't help falling in love with these new pics…

On Wednesday, March 29, Elvis Presley's ex-girlfriend Linda Thompson shared several 50-year-old Polaroid snaps of The King's only child, daughter Lisa Marie Presley, who died in January

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"Like many of you, I am doing a little bit of spring cleaning and ran across this photo album from back in the day," Linda captioned a slideshow of photos on Instagram. "Time stood still for a few moments as I looked through these precious photos."

Linda noted that she lovingly remembers Lisa Marie as "Yisa Marisa" and called her a "precious little girl."

One of the images, from 1974, shows Lisa Marie at age 6 after losing her two front teeth. Other snaps from 1973 show a young Lisa Marie lounging on a boat and celebrating Christmas.

"We had such a wonderful relationship for so many years. She's still a part of my heart," Linda wrote. 

Linda, who dated Elvis from 1972 to 1976, noted that she sees a lot of Lisa Marie in her daughter, actress Riley Keough.

"There are so many nuances in Riley's facial expressions that remind me of her beautiful mom," Linda said of the "Daisy Jones & The Six" actress. "Lisa's lovely, formidable, powerful presence lives on in her gorgeous and talented daughter."

Lisa Marie died unexpectedly on Jan. 12 after going into cardiac arrest. She was just 54.

Racist reaction

Oscar-nominated actress fired agent who told her to look more white

Rosie Perez fired an agent who encouraged her to look more caucasian early in her career. 

"She told me that if I dyed my hair blonde and got a nose job, 'I can get you more jobs. Because you're not Black,'" the "Flight Attendant" star told Variety in a recent interview. "I couldn't believe it. I was like, 'Oh my goodness,' like, 'Thank you, fired.'"

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For a while, Rosie's career suffered. She "had nobody" and "no money," she said.

Then she shared her plight with "Criminal Justice" co-star Jennifer Grey, who quickly called her own agent.

"Jennifer and I clicked instantly," Rosie said. "I haven't seen that woman in ages, but I just think she's phenomenal. She's like, 'I cannot believe how racist this industry is.' She picks up the phone and calls Jane Berliner at CAA and says, 'You need to represent this actress.'"

That phone call proved to be quite beneficial: Rosie soon landed her gig in "White Men Can't Jump" — a role that was originally written to be played by a white woman. She also got a job in 1993's "Fearless," for which she earned an Oscar nomination. 

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Ironically, Rosie told Variety in 2021 that she hasn't been invited back to the Academy Awards since then. 

"Not even to sit in the audience, not to present, nothing — and I'm a member," she said. "I love the Academy Awards. I cheer on my peers, but it hurts. It's like when your home team doesn't ask you to come back into the stadium after you got up to bat and hit the home run." 

In 2022, Rosie attended the show to present an award with her "White Men Can't Jump" co-stars Harrelson and Wesley Snipes.

Momma matters

Nick Cannon explains how he financially supports the mothers of his 12 children

Nick Cannon is detailing how he financially supports the mothers of all 12 of his children, and the truth is actually not that complicated. 

"It ain't even about a monthly allowance or an amount of money because I don't give myself that," he said during an interview with Hot 104.1. "I don't give myself that. What they need, they get it."

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Nick, who has an estimated net worth of $20 million, added, "There's never been something that one of the mothers of my children has asked for and they didn't receive."

Over the years, the "Masked Singer" host has welcomed children with six women, including ex-wife Mariah Carey, Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, Alyssa Scott, Bre Tiesi and LaNisha Cole.

"Everybody has their challenges – but when you really understand this woman has given the greatest sacrifice and sacrificed her body to bring a child into [this world], that's the best gift any man could ask for," he said. "Regardless of what goes on in any scenario … I'll never say anything disrespectful or bad about any of the mothers of my children."

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With multiple women helping to raise his children, Nick is often asked about his baby mamas and if any of them have relationships. 

"I don't keep no secrets [from them]," he said on the "The Big Tigger Morning Show" last year. "They know how I move. I multitask. They don't have to [get along]. They all get along with me."

The "Wild 'N Out" star said he just wants to be a "responsible" father to his trove of children.

"I just want to be the best father I can possibly be and lean into it. I embrace all my children. I love children," he said, later adding, "I didn't set out [for this to happen]. … A lot of people have a lot of children as well and they kinda keep it quiet or they don't talk about it. I lean into mine."

Home sweet home

Kat Von D sells her home that appeared in a major movie to owner of a Hollywood landmark

Kat Von D's famous house — the picture-perfect home featured in 2003's "Cheaper by the Dozen" — is under new ownership.

The massive 12,565-square-foot property sold for $7.75 million to the co-owner of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, TMZ reported, citing real estate sources. 

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The former "L.A. Ink" tattoo artist initially listed the home on the market in January 2022 for a cool $15 million after moving her family to Indiana, but that was back when the real estate market was at its near peak.

Kat, who bought the Los Angeles home in 2016 for $6.5 million, changed it up. While the property looked warm and familial in the Steve Martin-led film, the reality is a little different. The estate, which is located in Los Angeles' Windsor Square neighborhood, includes lush, manicured landscaping, a blood-red swimming pool and a gothic aesthetic. The estate also features a main residence with 11 bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and seven fireplaces, plus a separate carriage house with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The home was actually built in the 1890s and moved to its current location in 1915.

Just one month after the former reality TV star listed the home, it was burglarized while she and her son, then 3, slept. 

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In February 2022, TMZ reported that strange sounds woke Kat at 10:15 p.m. She then saw a "beam of light moving about the house." Kat grabbed her son, got out of the home and called 911. 

When police arrived, they found a man just wandering around the home. He reportedly told police he was buying the house and needed to use the restroom. No surprise, but that man was not the eventual buyer. 

Fiance problems

Amanda Bynes' family makes decision while she remains under psychiatric hold

With her "best interests" in mind, Amanda Bynes' family is making a decision while she remains under psychiatric hold: They don't want her on-and-off fiancé, Paul Michael, coming anywhere near her.

"They do not want her ex-fiancé around her, and he has been instructed to have no contact with her," an insider told DailyMail.com. "He does not seem to have her best interests in mind and her family has nothing good to say about him."

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Amanda and Paul got engaged last summer, but they soon split up, only to get back together. Despite their constantly-changing relationship status, it appears the duo were separated when Amanda suffered a mental breakdown last week. 

On Sunday, March 19, Amanda was found naked and alone while roaming the streets in downtown Los Angeles. She soon waved down a car and informed the driver that she was coming off of a psychotic episode. After calling police herself, the "Easy A" star was then taken to a nearby police station and later placed on a psychiatric hold in a hospital. 

She remains under the hold, as her parents, Rick and Lynn, monitor the situation.

Last week, Paul told Page Six that his former flame was "off her meds."

"She got off her meds, and she's still off her meds… She's wild," he said, insisting the two are still "friends."

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Rick and Lynn, though, aren't buying it and are "taking every precaution in order to ensure that Michael has no contact" with their daughter. 

The latest psychiatric episode occurred almost one year to the day of a judge terminating the conservatorship that guided Amanda's life for more than eight years. 

TMZ reported on March 21, 2023, that a second conservatorship isn't off the table, but isn't likely. Amanda's parents are taking solace in the fact that the former actress recognized she was in trouble when she flagged down a car and notified police herself.

Living situation

Bruce Willis' current wife addresses report that Demi Moore is now living with them to help care for the actor after his dementia diagnosis

Demi Moore is sharing the same roof with her ex-husband, Bruce Willis, and his current wife, Emma Heming, according to a new report. A source told RadarOnline.com on March 8, "Demi has moved in, and she is not leaving until the very end."

However, later in the day, Bruce's wife, Emma Heming, denied it. "Let's nip this one in the bud. This is so dumb. Please stop," she wrote on her Instagram Story.

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Bruce and Demi, who were married for 13 years and share three children, have had a close relationship for years. 

"At first no one outside the family could understand what Demi was doing living with her ex and his new wife, but now it makes sense," the source told Radar. "Demi has been a rock for the family and is determined to make sure every day Bruce has left on earth will be filled with love."

Last March, Bruce's family announced that the "Pulp Fiction" star was retiring due to Aphasia, a condition that affects a person's ability to communicate — to speak, write and understand language. Then, last month, the family announced that he has been diagnosed with dementia — this in addition to his battle with aphasia. 

"Now Bruce will leave before [Demi] does," the source claimed. 

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On Sunday, March 5, Emma issued a PSA about her husband after seeing paparazzi images of him getting coffee with friends. 

"If you are someone who is looking after someone who has dementia, you know how difficult and how stressful it can be, just to get them out into the world and navigate them safely – even just to get a cup of coffee," she said. "In the spirit of raising awareness for dementia, it's clear that a lot of education needs to be put forth."  

Emma continued by pleading with paparazzi to give Bruce his "space" if they see him out and about. 

"Allow for our family or whoever is with him that day to get him from point A to point B safely," she said.